Critic Reviews

I love Armored Core 4. It's so much fun to make my way through the variety of missions, tweaking my own Tellus-B to squeeze out a bit more firepower, or jack up the armor just enough to survive the inside of reactor core. To alter it into a slow moving juggernaut, or a insect-like mech with shimmering laser blades on either arm. So much excitement and challenge, with little frustration once I got a control scheme I was happy with. I don't expect others to understand, or even try to understand, but aside from some refinement needed in certain areas, this game is exactly what it should be. Don't expect it to be something it's not. This is Armored Core.

Compared to the version released on the Xbox 360 you ask? Looks better on the PS3, responds better on the Xbox. Not a huge win for either console in my opinion, as both wins were marginal at best. All in all, Armored Core 4 was one of the first games in a long time that actually had me sitting around trying to think of a way to beat the mission while not playing. If you are thinking about the content of the game while you are working, it’s an addictive game and definitely recommended to those who have enjoyed the franchise up to this point.

But for anyone who hasn't had that pleasure, this is probably the best place to start. Armored Core 4 is more accessible than its predecessors; and at its core, beneath the complicated controls and imposing arsenal of body parts, it's a pretty simple, superfast, graceful and smart mech-combat game, and it deserves your attention.

Overall, Armored Core 4 is a brilliant game. It combines the classic sci-fi cliché of giant robot battles with the obsessive tinkering of real world mechanics. Anyone who enjoys computers, cars, or other machinery will get a kick out of the customization aspect (from body parts to paint jobs) and mecha enthusiasts, will, well... love blowing the crap out of everything. If you have the stomach for a game where 8 digit numbers are the norm, you owe it to yourself to pick up this game. While it isn't perfect, it's certainly the best game of its kind on the Xbox 360, or any other console at the moment.

Overall, Armored Core 4 is a brilliant game. It combines the classic sci-fi cliché of giant robot battles with the obsessive tinkering of real world mechanics. Anyone who enjoys computers, cars, or other machinery will get a kick out of the customization aspect (from body parts to paint jobs) and mecha enthusiasts, will, well... love blowing the crap out of everything. If you have the stomach for a game where 8 digit numbers are the norm, you owe it to yourself to pick up this game. While it isn't perfect, it's certainly the best game of its kind on the Xbox 360, or any other console at the moment.

Overall, Armored Core 4 is a huge step forward in every way. It might have been simplified a lot, and a lot of long-time fans might find that to be disappointing, but I think it was a much-needed shot of juice. You’ve got some pretty good graphics, fast-paced destructive mech combat, and online multiplayer. What more could you ask from a mech game? And for heavens’ sake, mech fans, buy this before you even consider touching Gundam or Chromehounds–but you didn’t need me to tell you that.

Overall, Armored Core 4 is a huge step forward in every way. It might have been simplified a lot, and a lot of long-time fans might find that to be disappointing, but I think it was a much-needed shot of juice. You’ve got some pretty good graphics, fast-paced destructive mech combat, and online multiplayer. What more could you ask from a mech game? And for heavens’ sake, mech fans, buy this before you even consider touching Gundam or Chromehounds–but you didn’t need me to tell you that.

Between the streamlined assembly process, the retooled control scheme, and the junking of the cooling system and other mechanics that slowed down the action, Armored Core 4 is far more approachable game than previous installments in the series. Its heavier emphasis on arcade-style mech-on-mech action also means that its enhanced fast-paced action will appeal to a more mainstream audience. And even though it isn't as complex as it once was, there's still plenty to obsess over for the hardcore lot. Suffice it to say, yes, really, this is a very good mech combat game.

Between the streamlined assembly process, the retooled control scheme, and the junking of the cooling system and other mechanics that slowed down the action, Armored Core 4 is far more approachable game than previous installments in the series. Its heavier emphasis on arcade-style mech-on-mech action also means that its enhanced fast-paced action will appeal to a more mainstream audience. And even though it isn't as complex as it once was, there's still plenty to obsess over for the hardcore lot. Suffice it to say, yes, really, this is a very good mech combat game.

This is definitely a solid first outing on a new system. While it may not appeal to everyone, the developers definitely took some steps in the right direction here. With a unique story, brilliant sound, and mountains of customizations, Armored Core 4 offers what a lot of PS3 games do not; a fun time.

If you’ve stuck with the Armored Core series this long, welcome to the next level of mechanized combat from FROM Software. You obviously relish this particular brand of robot action. If you’re new to the series however, prepare yourself for a robotic assault that requires more than toggling weapons, aiming and shooting. Time to hit the garage. If you’ve come to tinker, settle in.

Without any previous experience with the series, you could conceivably get into Armored Core 4. The furiously fast action certainly holds great appeal; however, you may a difficult time following the story and grappling with the customization system. The game remains true to the series in catering more toward the hardcore element despite good attempts at making the game accessible; Armored Core 4 easily offers up the hottest mech-on-mech action yet in this next generation.

Armored Core 4 seems like one step forward and two steps backwards. You increase the speed of the game, but the game is still a pain to control. If you don't like customizing mechs, or you're new to the whole genre, the franchise is still not accessible to the new people. If From Software ever wants to expand beyond the franchise's hardcore following, they still have their work cut out for them. But if you can get beyond its issues and master the controls, you're in for a rather good but frustrating time.

Ultimately, Armored Core 4 offers nothing we haven't seen in Mech Warrior or Zone of the Enders, aside from a little next-gen polish that is of mixed success. However, it is still a very enjoyable action romp, which also contains plenty of accessible customisation and strategy, and has a feel about it that screams hardcore, without demanding players trade in their social life for Achievement points and a monitor-kissed, pale skin tone.

Ultimately, Armored Core 4 offers nothing we haven't seen in Mech Warrior or Zone of the Enders, aside from a little next-gen polish that is of mixed success. However, it is still a very enjoyable action romp, which also contains plenty of accessible customisation and strategy, and has a feel about it that screams hardcore, without demanding players trade in their social life for Achievement points and a monitor-kissed, pale skin tone.

With is short missions and cumbersome customizing options, Armored Core 4 isn't nearly as entertaining as it should be. But if you can get past some of the rough technical problems then you should be able to have a good time with this flawed but still enjoyable mech game.

Whilst Armored Core is probably the best mech-based game there is on the Xbox 360 at the moment, it certainly isn't the most impressive game in the series so far. That said however, I'm sure it's a game that will keep fans of the Armored Core series, and those looking for good mech-based game, happy until From Software give us a game that really pushes the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Whenever I review a game I take the time to find out other peoples' opinion in order to ensure that I'm not giving a too biased final score. AC4 has the ability to split people right down the middle, it's a Marmite (Vegemite, in some quarters) game. Those that love to customise mechs and own previous incarnations are sure to love it, those like me that only find limited appeal are sure to find it disappointing. There is fun to be had, gliding a ton of metal around armed to the teeth blowing stuff up does have its moments which cannot be denied but will not grab the attention for long and is best played in small bursts. There is nothing next-gen about the title in the least; only slightly improved graphics. There was the scope to do more, indeed in the 20th outing in the series you might expect the developers to, but the latest outing suffers from being too short, too limited and too repetitive.

AC4 is a step in the direction of trying to please more people, more of the time. The construction process is streamlined, but only if that's how you want it to be. The action is faster, but not without the requirement to think strategically. Even with graphics that fall below the expectations of the current generation of hardware, Armored Core 4 is a fun way to make machines to the dirty work.

Armored Core 4 fails to re-establish itself as something new, and I can only recommend it to its fan-base. The mission structure is broken, and the missions can be very short. The online, while fun, is incomplete. And the visuals leave something to be desired. The game's seemingly infinite depth and single-player rewards certainly make it worthwhile for the 'Core fan, but the casual gamer should really look elsewhere.

In the same way I hoped that Tony Hawk’s Project 8 would really resonate with me for a change and get me to enjoy the skateboarding genre more, I had hoped that Armored Core 4 would be versatile and innovative enough to get me to enjoy the mech action/strategy games more. Alas that wasn’t the case, as I found that many of the foibles that pushed me away from long sessions of previous AC titles still exist today.

Overall Armored Core 4 is heading in the right direction, but there are many issues that need to be addressed. Once that happens, then you’ll certainly have something that will stand out as the best in the series.

Armored Core 4 doesn’t have enough fuel to power up this awkward version of Armored Core. From Software tried to move in a slightly new direction with an improved, streamlined customization and a quicker game pace, but it doesn't get the job done. The entire production feels unforced, with a overly complex storyline and repetitive meaningless missions. I wanted to love my sweet Armored Core action, but I have been denied. If you want the real Armored Core experience, I suggest you save your $60 and rent an older version of the game, Armored Core 2 for the Playstation 2 being my pick.

As a fan of mech games I feel let down. The series has provided some good titles in the past and it is bizarre that the game has taken a step backwards. To get the most out of this game a gamer will have to be very forgiving and also stat obsessed. I simply can’t recommend this as a game to buy, if you are a big mech fan, rent this before you commit to spending your cash.

The Armored Core franchise celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. To have that kind of staying power, it’s clear Sega and FromSoftware know what this fan base wants, but although Armored Core 4 delivers its usual, expansive customization options, it isn’t enough to overlook weak single-player missions and lackluster visuals.

The Armored Core franchise celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. To have that kind of staying power, it’s clear Sega and FromSoftware know what this fan base wants, but although Armored Core 4 delivers its usual, expansive customization options, it isn’t enough to overlook weak single-player missions and lackluster visuals.

If you're a fan of Japanese mech games, you may be able to squeeze a little bit of fun out of Armored Core 4. But if you aren't a particularly big fan of the genre, don't expect to have much fun with this game. With a boring and hard to follow story and incredibly short missions that play out on levels you've already played several times, the single player portion of Armored Core 4 is mediocre at best. The multiplayer aspect is forgettable, as made evident by the fact that From Software neglected to include any achievements for playing online at all. There's also a steep learning curve, due to an overly complicated customization system for building your mechs and no in-game help to aid you in figuring out what does what, leaving you to experiment with each piece of equipment to figure out what does what.

Ultimately, outside of hardcore Armored Core fans this installment is unlikely to win the hearts and minds of casual mech gamers. You can't fault it all that much, since collecting converts probably wasn't the goal but there is still too much to be desired. While mech customization can be a good bit of geeky fun, it shouldn't have to carry a whole game on its shoulders. A solid single player experience is the one thing most mech titles lack, and this is no exception. Even the hardcore fans should be asking for more.

When you boot up Armored Core 4, you’re treated to one of the most impressive intro movies I’ve seen in a while, with mecha boosting between buildings, smashing each other to bits and causing general mayhem all at a hundred miles an hour. Indeed, even the box describes AC4 as “blazing fast mech action”. Unfortunately you’re quickly and violently brought back to earth as the game is anything but. The game has an impressive mech customisation mode, but everything else seems to have been low down on the list of priorities and very mediocre.

Ultimately, outside of hardcore Armored Core fans this installment is unlikely to win the hearts and minds of casual mech gamers. You can't fault it all that much, since collecting converts probably wasn't the goal but there is still too much to be desired. While mech customization can be a good bit of geeky fun, it shouldn't have to carry a whole game on its shoulders. A solid single player experience is the one thing most mech titles lack, and this is no exception. Even the hardcore fans should be asking for more.

Since I feel like I've beaten the proverbial dead horse, I'll say something nice about the game: its controls are surprisingly decent. They are complicated, but once you master them, your mech will be doing cartwheels in no time. Okay, that's an exaggeration but you get my point. Ultimately, Armored Core 4 offers only an empty experience that's as lifeless as the cold metal contraptions that star in the game.

Despite the niggling problems of Armored Core 4, we would still recommend this game to those that have a penchant for mechanized combat and at least a passing familiarity with the Armored Core series. Put simply, you get what you'd expect based on the series' history -- it's not perfect, but it's not terribly flawed either. That puts Armored Core 4 firmly in the "meh" section of our scoring system, and while fans of the series will be able to salvage a treasure trove of gaming enjoyment out of their curiously obsessive mech-building fascination, outsiders (that is to say, most people) would probably prefer virtually any other game.